成人快手

Surfs up

Surfing UK - Kaddy-Lee Preston takes to the seas

The coastline in the South East is amongst the most spectacular in Britain.

But did you know it has something in common with the South Pacific or California?

To find out you have to look no further than the surfers of the South East.

From the island of Hawaii to the Isle of Thanet, from Surf City to the City of Brighton - the sport of surfing is alive and well in an unlikely corner of the world - the South East of England.

To find out why, Inside Out visits two of the best places for surfing on our coast - Brighton in East Sussex and Margate in Kent.

Wave riders

Inside Out talks to the South East's men (and women!) in rubber to find out all about the surf scene of this part of the world.

For the surfers riding the big waves gives them a great buzz. We spoke to one surfer who stays in the water six hours some days

The tide is right - surfers rush for the waves

It's an addictive sport and, once hooked, the surfers are constantly on the look out for the perfect wave.

Despite the forbidding English weather the surf scene in the South East has been flourishing for several decades.

The East Kent Surf Club was born in 1968, and one of the first people ever to surf in Kent was Paul Knowles who recalls his earliest memories of the local surf scene:

"I got into the Beach Boys... The LP had a hot rod and surf board on the front. I thought I've got to try that."

Forty years later, Paul is still a keen surfer.

Growth sport

No one has counted the exact number of surfers on the Kent coast but regulars say that you just have to look around to see that the sport has grown enormously in recent years.

But it's not just Kent where they're waxing up their boards. Over in Brighton, they're also hitting the surf.

Kaddy meets Kent's veteran surfers (Paul Knowles centre)

Some surfers there take things to the extreme.

In fact many in this part of Sussex are lucky to get away without serious injury.

The sport can be very dangerous. Some surfers surf near the wall and rocks.

According to one surfer called Jock Paterson, it's "dangerous but the surf's better here. That's what were looking for - fun and games.

"Boards get damaged, people get damaged, but we love it."

Some surfers do take risks. One of the dangers is getting washed onto the pier or the wall.

But the regular surfers have the following advice - don't try anything difficult until you're experienced.

"The thing is, I've been surfing for 35 years. I know what I'm doing", says Jock.

First steps

Getting expert advice is crucial if you're starting out as a beginner.

Sound instruction - Dave Melmoth is an expert surfer

We follow Inside Out's Kaddy Lee-Preston as she takes to the waves in her first lesson.

Her surfing teacher is Dave Melmoth - he's also the Joss Bay lifeguard and he works in Margate for nine months of the year.

Within an hour Kaddy was surfing 聟 just!

Brighton - life's a beach

Surfing began in Kent during the 1960s. But in Brighton it's much older than that..

Surf historians will tell you the tale of Princess Victoria Ka'iulani, the second in line to the throne of Hawaii.

She came to England in the 19th century to finish her education, and lived in Brighton.

Surfing was a Hawaiian tradition so legend has it that she was the first to surf in the English Channel in the 1890s.

If the sea was a bit chilly for the Hawaiian Princess maybe she should have tried a bit further up the beach.

The surfers recommend a spot called Hotpipes because the water is particularly warm.

For that they have to thank the local power station.

California dreaming?

The regular surfers are the first to admit that the South East is no California.

It doesn't even compare with Cornwall. But if you live in these parts it is handy to get to.

The regulars say that once you get the hang of this the weather, conditions make it possible to surf in the South East about once a week

If you include the Hawaiian Princess people have been surfing in the South East for more than 100 years. And at this rate it looks like they'll be surfing for a 100 more.

Safety notes

Surfing can be dangerous - always take proper instruction from professionals before taking to the waters.

Ensure that you have the right kit for surfing if you're a beginner.

Check South East weather conditions and tide patterns before surfing at and .

听